Commission candidate: Kenny Volk

Kenny Volk, 31, owns Kenny’s Downtown Convenience Store and is seeking a spot on the City Commission.

Running with no political affiliation, Volk has been in Great Falls for 27 years, having previously served as chairman of Neighborhood Council 7 and a volunteer youth basketball coach with the Salvation Army.

Q: What are your thoughts on investing in city parks to upgrade amenities and make the parks what Paris Gibson envisioned them to be?

A: Paris Gibson implemented a vision of a well-planned city with tree-lined streets and plush public parks. But things have evolved beyond Gibson’s Great Falls of the late 19th century. Development of the Missouri River and the formation of our River’s Edge Trail have given us a huge recreational competitive advantage. The river is our greatest strength, and it’s essential we as a community play to our strengths. We must continue to support the trail.

Q: Do you believe the general fund should subsidize all city services? Or to what level should they be self-sustaining?

A: The general fund does not, and should not, subsidize all city services. Enterprise funds should be run like a business.

Q: How would you fund the Natatorium, or would you close it as some have discussed?

A: I support funding the Natatorium largely as it is now, although I think it can and should be managed more efficiently. I don’t agree with the city’s decision last year to raise usage fees, and would suggest they be lowered, in conjunction with possibilities including monthly passes and promotions that traditionally do increase usage. The Nat is also unique in that it is an all-seasons facility. It ought to be marketed more effectively as such.

Q: For years, the business community complained about the cumbersome city development process, which has since been streamlined and simplified, and now some are saying the process is too fast. Which system would you prefer as a commissioner and how would you engage with the planning department?

A: I am unaware of talk suggesting the planning department moves too quickly. While internal processes have improved, I think our community would benefit by having a small businessperson on the City Commission. If we are truly serious about making Great Falls a better, friendlier place to do business, it’s imperative that business owners have a seat at the table on the commission.

Q: How would you approach major votes, what would be your process in gathering information and making a decision?

A: First and foremost, I would seek public opinion. As a city commissioner, my most valuable resource would be information. Currently, information flows largely in one direction — from city staff. Commissioners must ultimately remember they work for the public, not the city manager. I would not be comfortable approaching any vote, major or minor, without first substantively discussing the issue with the public, as well as with city staff.

Q: In terms of growth, how do you think the city should approach it and why?

A: Growth broadens the tax base, and the city ought to do everything in its power to make processes simpler and more consistent for developers and investors to move money around in our community. We should require the minimum amount of regulations possible, turn around permits and licenses as quickly as possible, and send a clear message to investors: “Great Falls is a great place to do business. We are friendly, and we will work with you rather than against you. We want our bureaucratic processes to run as smoothly as possible for you. We will communicate clearly and consistently. We will be friendly and responsive. Your experience working with the city should be an overwhelmingly positive one. We are 100 percent committed to growth and development.”

Q: What do you consider core services in Great Falls and how do you believe they should be funded?

A: Core services include public safety (fire and police), water and sewer, streets, lighting, etc. I believe they should be funded the way they are currently, some via the general fund, others as enterprise funds.

I do, however, also consider our public library to be a core institution. Cities should support their libraries. I think the city erred in passing a budget that didn’t restore funding to our library. I have written more in depth on this subject on my Facebook campaign page.

Q: How would you work with city staff to understand needs, resources and plans for operations, growth, etc.?

A: By listening carefully and often, soliciting their opinions on a wide range of issues, and asking as many questions as possible. As with just about everything in government, the more conversation, the better. And it is important to have a solid working relationship with staff. Our city staff is collectively very good, and is filled with competent, hard-working people.

Q: What do you think is the City Commission’s role in economic development should be?

A: The City Commission should pass resolutions and ordinances that encourage development, not hinder it. Gratuitous and frivolous regulations, things like the sign code and additional zoning, should be avoided. At this point, we have enough laws and restrictions on the books to adequately safeguard public safety. Incentives and tax breaks for business and property owners – measures that will make private industry keen to do business here, and what other cities are doing – should be strongly supported and pushed by the City Commission.

Q: Why are you running for mayor/city commission?

A: Beyond the more perfunctory answer, that Great Falls has been good to me and that I’d like to give back, I also think it’s important to have a commission that looks more like the citizens of Great Falls. I’m 31, and twenty years from now, I’ll still be here, along with my family, and we’ll still feel the effects of decisions the City Commission makes today. I very much want to be part in that process.

Our community would also benefit tremendously from cultural shifts in the way the commission operates. All too often, we see 5-0 votes, fast-tracked with little to no discussion. We have five different, ostensibly diverse people sitting on a board who on virtually every issue affirm city staff’s recommendation by unanimous vote. Is it really possible for five people to see eye-to-eye with staff nearly 100 percent of the time?

I think more discussion amongst commissioners, and moreover, with the public, would make our government work much more efficiently. I also think it would result in a City Commission more in tune with a public that finds city hall more friendly and responsive. I would love to help make this happen.

Q: What do you consider the city’s top needs/issues?

A: As discussed above, I think cultural and systemic improvements in the way the City Commission operates will improve our local government immeasurably. The commission needs to get a little bit chatty—and to me, that means asking more questions and holding actual conversations, not talking down to the public.

Beyond that, promoting public safety remains one of the chief priorities that the City Commission can and should support.

The city should also, with Electric City Power now in the past, assume a more proactive role in maintaining its properties. Deferred maintenance has become a huge issue, one that could quickly wipe out our reserves. The Civic Center and parking garages require significant repairs, and the commission and staff must keep a watchful eye on the physical condition of city structures moving forward. Preventative maintenance always beats emergency maintenance, both in terms of cost and also in preserving structural longevity.

Finally, we need to continue to promote economic development and encourage investment into our community.

Q: What do you see as that biggest challenges facing the city currently?

A: Much of my response to Question 11 is applicable here, as well.

Q: What would you do to better educate city residents about city business and major issues?

A: In addition to the notices published in small print and buried deep in the “Legals” section of the Tribune, I think opportunities exist with social media to better connect with residents. The city manager’s office has the right idea — it has an official Facebook page — but utilizes it infrequently. It published posts on only four days in June and just one day in July.

City commissioners should consider maintaining a social media presence not just to get elected, but also once they have been elected to facilitate a mode of communication that is simply more convenient for many people, particularly younger people.